There are 2 types of divers
For those who know me, I do not wear a wetsuit at the best of times... But back in the day, before being introduced to my best friend the drysuit, it was a given that myself or others would end up urinating in our suits, especially on those dives with long boat rides in South Africa.
I've decided to write a little about why I think you should pee in your wetsuit and do it proudly, backed by science and experience.
CONTENTS:
- Do it often
- Immersion diuresis
- How it works
- Dehydration
- Do not hold in your pee
- Dangerous distraction
- Urine will NOT damage your wetsuit
- There is NO shame
Do it often
You need to pee more often while diving, and science says it's totally normal! JUST DON'T PEE IN YOUR DRYSUIT (unless you have a catheter or nappy)!
Doctors say the average healthy adult should urinate at least 4–6 times a day. If you're diving, you might as well throw that figure out the window, thanks to a little thing called immersion diuresis.
Immersion diuresis
Immersion diuresis is the medical term for what happens to the bodies of swimmers and divers when entering water that is cooler than the surrounding air. It is also part of the mammalian dive reflex, and is the reason why you need to pee more frequently when you're in the water (especially colder water).
How it works
When you enter cool water, your body reacts by constricting the blood vessels in your arms, legs and skin to conserve heat. As a result, extra blood flows to your major internal organs, which "tricks" your kidneys into thinking you have extra fluid in your system. The kidneys then produce urine to try and maintain a proper balance, and as a result, you need to pee, usually quite often.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a serious concern for divers. Did you know that many divers avoid drinking or eating before a dive because they think it will stop them needing to pee? This is completely the wrong approach.
Dehydration can cause all sorts of problems and is considered a predisposing factor for decompression sickness (DCS). It's critical to stay hydrated while diving. As a freediver and scuba diving instructor, I always tell my students to drink plenty of water before, during and after diving, and to pee as much as they like, to prevent any problems. Just make sure to rinse any hired gear afterwards!
Many people underestimate just how easy it is to become seriously dehydrated while diving. Whether you're in a wetsuit or drysuit, you start losing fluids by sweating before you even enter the water, especially here in Malta in summer. Once in the water, immersion diuresis causes further fluid loss. On top of that, the compressed gas you breathe while diving has virtually zero humidity, accelerating fluid loss through respiration.
If you also consume coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages, you'll lose even more fluids as these are all diuretics.
Here's a quick thought: the more dehydrated you are, the more… ahhhh... "potent" your urine will smell. Stay hydrated and healthy — your dive buddies will thank you!
Do not hold in your pee
You may have heard that resisting the urge to urinate can cause UTIs (urinary tract infections). While that is kind of true and UTIs are pretty terrible, it is not nearly the worst thing that can happen if you hold it for too long. In some cases, urine can back up into the kidney and cause a kidney infection, which can carry serious consequences.
Holding your pee regularly can also damage your pelvic floor muscles (the muscles that give us control over urination and bowel movements). It's best not to risk damaging those very important muscles. If you've got to go… let it go.
Dangerous distraction
Many instructors ask that students do not pee in hired suits, as dive centre staff have to clean the hired gear themselves... and trust me, the smell in summer heat is unbearable!
That said, I would much rather have my students pee in their suit and get rid of that urge, as holding it can halt their ability to perform certain tasks underwater. It can be a real distraction and an annoyance at the best of times.
I would much rather spend some extra time at the end of the day sanitising rental suits than have my students distracted by their bladders or counting down the minutes until they can get out of the water. Students should be as comfortable and focused as possible during their courses, even if that means extra clean-up later.
The same goes for pleasure diving. If you're spending half of your dive feeling uncomfortable because you need to pee, you're not focused on the most important diving objective: completing the dive safely. Going on holiday to dive the Maltese wrecks but all you can think of is "I need to pee", how are you going to explore, take photos, and actually enjoy the dive?
Urine will NOT damage your wetsuit
The good news is that urine is not filled with acid or flesh-eating bacteria. Human urine is approximately 95% water, 2.5% urea, and 2.5% a mixture of other substances. Nothing in your urine will eat away at the seams of your wetsuit or create holes, so don't worry about damaging your suit.
That said, you should always rinse your suit thoroughly in fresh water after a dive to keep it in the best shape possible. If you've peed in it, give it a little extra care to prevent any lingering smells. You should be taking care of your gear regardless!
There is NO shame
The bottom line is: don't let anyone make you feel bad for doing something your body does naturally, especially if it makes your dives more comfortable and safe. Pee in your wetsuit to your heart's content… and do it proudly.
With that said, if you're renting gear, take responsibility and clean up. Wash your rented suits properly and respect other dive centres if they ask that you do not urinate in their suits. If you find you're a frequent urinator, buy your own suit!
Written by Amy-Sarah Lottering